GENERAL STYLE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | SPRING/SUMMER 2024

In this video your host offers his thoughts and observations on a variety of questions that have been contributed by viewers to the channel.
If you would like to become a Patreon of the The Chap's Guide channel and help with the funding of future content, please consider becoming a regular contributor via the easy to use Patreon website: / chapsguide
If you would like to support future content, a donation would be deeply appreciated via the 'buy me a coffee' website - www.buymeacoffee.com/thechaps...
Don't forget to check out my Instagram feed for daily chap updates: chapsguide
If you have a question to pose The Chap's Guide, please send it to: [e-mail]
=============================================================================
Equipment used in this filming of this video (Amazon links):
Camera - Canon Eos 250D: amzn.to/3bFaY7F
Lens - Cannon EFS 24mm f/2.8 STM: amzn.to/3aFT0kd
Tripod - K & F Incept Tripod: amzn.to/3eR5BEy
GorillaPod - Joby: amzn.to/35cJW5d
Shotgun microphone - Rode Video Mic Pro: amzn.to/3aKoSEw
Lavalier microphone: amzn.to/3cOEuYM
Studio lights - Neewer dimmable 2-pack LED studio lights: amzn.to/2Y6BsLB
#chapsguide #ashjones #mensstyle

[@NickolasSteffen]

I would love to see an episode on styling waistcoats both in informal and more smart contexts and perhaps one on using suspenders/braces. Thank you for your work.

[@ABC-rh7zc]

Good idea. Check out Albert Thurston. That's the end game in braces/suspenders.

[@hendrikjanriesebos1293]

Waistcoats are seriously cool. I've been wearing them since my late teens. And combined them with anything. Fit is important though.

[@jessebechtold2973]

That would be a great video! My wife loves a man in a good waistcoat, actually prefers them to a sport or suit jacket but styling them in a nice way feels a bit elusive for some reason.

[@ProductionsFromBeyon]

I do love my Cravat and it’s a bit over the top, but I also feel like I’ve worn enough that it is now a signature piece. And if I’m wrong, then hey, I’m having fun :)

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

In today's world where most people are walking around in their pajamas anything you do to step up your style may look over the top to some people. Yesterday my wife and I had been shopping at a local antique mall. When leaving we were stopped buy a lady who was coming in with things to put in her booth. She commented on how stylish both of us looked. She said you don't see people dressing nice anymore it's good to see. We thanked her and went on our way. Cheers Ron

[@salemslotandmore8278]

Thank You for the Video 😀

[@th7297]

At a garden party, hosted by a friend, I was the only person with a pocket square. Some men came in shorts etc which was absolutely OK. The thing is, it was her birthday party and she was so happy that I paid respect to her event which was supposed to be wonderful. It was not about me showing off my taste and style. It was simply part of my birthday gift. And of course, it was great fun 🎉😎👍🏻🚀

[@janerkenbrack3373]

I love my Iron Ranger boots, but I wouldn't wear them to a wedding, regardless of the dress code. Ultimately they are work boots. There are plenty of casual shoes that are not work boots. Chukka boots or dress sneakers for example, but not a work boot. It may not be formal, but it is still a wedding, and you're not there to fix the plumbing.

[@jessebechtold2973]

Perhaps the Thursday Captain or President boots, but yeah, Iron Rangers, great as they are, just too casual.

[@janerkenbrack3373]

@@jessebechtold2973 Yes, service boots will fly in that setting. I would rather have Allen Edmonds Higgins Mill, over Thursday though.

[@jessebechtold2973]

@@janerkenbrack3373 Awesome choice, love Allen Edmonds!

[@jonathanb2622]

Great video, Ash. Your answer to the last question in particular was superb.

[@williamcreitz7759]

Such wise advice Ash.

[@garyb2507]

I am i00% with you Ash on the wristwatch front.

[@jessebechtold2973]

The mention about caricature was very interesting, maybe a full video would be cool. As an avid hat wearer I absolutely love fedoras however over the years (with the exception of Panama hats) the newsboy and flat caps have edged them out and they generally live in the closet. Newsboys already stand out but can still look contemporary while a fur felt fedora just draws all the attention and tends to just feel out of place.

[@avmelidor]

Great advice

[@randyeast2542]

Hi Ash: Did you really get that at TK Max (TJ Max-US)? Top Marks ! that is really really nice. Thank you for the videos... always a pleasure watching my friend

[@gibbson130]

Been donating a lot of my jeans lately to force myself to wear my chinos more. Wearing jeans every day has been a hard habit to break after decades but chinos are such an easy style upgrade.

[@pierre-mariepoulain5022]

Hey Ash, thanks you so much for all your work, you make so many videos and they are all so interesting to watch. I do it everyday after work to relax aha I can't understand how you don't have more followers Cheers from France !

[@billyo54]

I'm with you all the way on prioritising certain items Ash. I once had to stay on a small island for a few months for work purposes. After arriving I realised there was no car rental facilities and I would need a car to get around. After a few enquiries I was able to buy an old banger for four hundred pounds. With the money I had left I bought a pair of great sunglasses for around the same price. I sold the car for three hundred pounds a few months later. I still cherish those sunglasses today.

[@jonathont7866]

I have a lovely pair of trousers that are made of denim (albeit a very nice, lightweight cashmere blend Italian denim, not a super thick rugged denim) but cut like chinos - I feel like they're a nice way of wearing denim in a more elevated, sartorial way; and I consider them my most casual pair of pants for the colder seasons.

[@herbtube7824]

Splendid episode, Ash.

[@clivejohnson9515]

this is one of my favourite channels just because you cast aspersions for free! One guy on YT wants $150 to do exactly whatyoure doing for free! :-)

[@nickkambitis5340]

Ash, A pair of dark indigo Jacob Cohen fitted jeans look amazing with brown shoes, open collar shirt and blazer/ semi formal jacket. It’s all down to the fit and colour. Ripped jeans or stonewash wouldn’t work. Occasion matters too. Wedding definitely not but out with friends for a meal/pub definitely.

[@daniell2217]

Did NOT see that AP RO choice coming. The 41mm is the comfortable watch I’ve ever worn. Ultimately decided against buying It, but highly recommend you give it a go.

[@Dunkelzeitgeist]

Your points around 7:00 ish resonate to me, I struggle as I’m a big chap, and I love bowler hats, so I always, and I mean always look like I’m cosplaying oddjob, fat controller or monopoly man 😅 so I tend to dress down more than I want to, with either open collar or chinos and loafers. If it was acceptable, I’d wear a dark 3piece and bowler hat every single day.

[@ronnykaneuti2766]

Great Video, Ash

[@TheChapsGuide]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@PotsdamSenior]

7:40 - I have a problem there. With "normal" being so casual, or should I say sloppy, I could only ever dress to my own lowest level of casual when I'm out in the street, to meet the highest level of normal. My nice cheap second hand suits and ties and hats only for that rare visit to the theatre? No sir, I might leave the tie at home occasionally, and wear a flat cap instead of a hat, but collared shirt and sportsjacket it is, even when I only go to the supermarket. Not "normal", but as casual as I would leave my flat. Maybe that helps raise the level of "normal" back to where it was 50 or 60 years ago.

[@w.adammandelbaum1805]

The Wooster crows at dawn, and we should watch the Bertie. Dress to excess, because candy is dandy, and dandy is just fine. Better Jeeves than Jeans.

[@Sartorialtrucker]

My watch is a Waldor % Co white dial gold edges and black leather band Roman numeric

[@drzaius844]

At a wedding, all eyes should be on the bride. Wearing Iron Rangers is an attempt to gain attention, and is inappropriate and borderline immature. Black cap toe oxfords, unless you’re asked to do otherwise.

[@roelvandenbergen611]

Concerning the spending suestion. Dear Sir, the road to savings and not beiing poor is controling the little everyday costs. Making your own sandwish, brew your own coffe, carry a liter of water everywhere you go,… will save huge cash in the long run. For ‘stuff’ that lasts some time, it is good to make a costs per wear calculation. And yes in second hand there is a way to make that calculation even more better. But life is about living, we only have one and should embrace each day as it is our last. And we should be able to enjoy the things we love. If we spend all our money on the day by day stuff and dont mind the costs-per-wear we are not able to save enough for the things we really mind and the savings we need for our peace of mind. Personally i spend 10 years and some good cash on 3 montblanc pens, i use them almost every day and they give me joy. To be able to enjoy everyday the fruit of my labor brightens my life. And it will yours. Enjoy your life, take care off your loved ones and have a lovely day. Sincerely

[@52Royston]

My wife who knows about these things tell me that cord trousers should be pressed inside out.

[@mikebodner1812]

Nice jacket, Ash. Is that a summer weight tweed?

[@michaelblazin4093]

I thought the guidance on a bow tie was the same as a long tie. I agree that I have to be more cautious about colors and patterns, but a drab bow tie is closer to a high level of normal than across the line. Besides, if more of us wore suitable bow ties, they would lose that outsider look.

[@dko9048]

Entertaining vid Ash , that wouldn’t be a RAF tartan tie your wearing ?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Well spotted sir. It certainly is!

[@johnbunton9177]

I have made a conscious decision to NOT invest in a walking stick, a pocket watch and chain, a Bowler, or Homberg, or bow ties, ascots, boutonnieres, lapel jewelry, etc., because I fear that people may mistake my daily attire for someone who is on his way to attend a costume party. Every time I wear my grey fur felt fedora, one of my friends comments that "I remind him of his father" -and this friend is 80 years old. Another friend accuses me of being a "dandy" for wearing a tie and a jacket with a pocket square on a regular basis. When I wear a linen suit with a Panama hat in the summer, another friend tells me I look like a 40s gangster and asks me why I'm not carrying my violin case with a machine gun in it. The sad reality is that, in today's ultra-casual environment, if I wear anything other than baggy cargo shorts, sneakers, a graphic t-shirt, and a hoodie, someone is going to consider me to be "overdressed". Recently, I saw a couple of people show up at a funeral wearing track pants and hoodies, so all sense of dressing appropriately to suit the formality of the occasion has completely gone out the window.

[@herbtube7824]

I'd love it, if people called me a Dandy ;-)

[@vrdrew63]

Some items have disappeared from the well-dressed gentleman's wardrobe because they became obsolete, or unnecessary. We don't wear spats because our city streets and sidewalks are no longer covered with horse manure. Gentlemen stopped carrying canes because the need to use them for personal defence declined with the establishment of urban police forces. We stopped wearing celluloid collars because they were supplanted by mass-manufactured collared shirts and mechanical washing and drying machines. And pocket watches because they were supplanted by the more convenient wristwatch. Ergo, wearing or carrying one of these items if you don't NEED to becomes somewhat anachronistic. But I'd never fault someone with mobility issues from carrying a walking stick or other device, any more than I'd fault someone for wearing spectacles or a hearing aid. With that in mind, however, you should feel free to dress whatever way you wish, and that meets your own personal requirements of style and utility. A good quality fur felt hat (be it Homburg, Fedora, Trilby, or Bowler, etc.) has utility far beyond that of fashion alone. A good hat keeps your head warm, dry, and protected from the sun, wind, and rain. Just don't wear a baseball cap with a suit. Unless you just signed a multi-million dollar contract with the team whose logo is on it. Best wishes. And wear your fedora and panama hats with pride and joy. The opinions of little minds be damned.

[@ZoomZoom-ng6sn]

I've seen a lousy guitar player with a $2000 guitar and a real good player with a $150 guitar.

[@ProductionsFromBeyon]

I do love my Cravat and it’s a bit over the top, but I also feel like I’ve worn enough that it is now a signature piece. And if I’m wrong, then hey, I’m having fun :)